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[Chapter XI] | Confrontation

Putting the pot over a low heat on the stove, he would let the rice be steamed and cooked in the pot, the red-haired teen moving to the island counter next to the stove. Washing some green onion and grabbing a chopping board, he swiftly cuts the green onion stalk into small bite-sized pieces, using it as garnish for his pork katsudon bowl. Setting those ingredients to the side, he returned his attention back to the pot that held his pork cutlet, taking a pair of tongs and taking the sizzling, golden brown crusted pork meat out of the heated pot of canola oil. He put that to the side and grabbed an iron skillet, pouring a little bit of the hot oil into the skillet so he could cook up something else. Speaking of those things, once setting the desired amount of oil into the pan, he cracked an egg on the side, and with one hand, opened the two shells apart and let the egg fall onto the skillet gently. Using some chopsticks to evenly stir the egg around and have it cook evenly, cooking the egg up to be fully cooked. He very much enjoyed the sides being very crunchy and a little bit browned up to give it a nice bit of texture to the rice.

Once he finished preparing everything on the stove, finished and fully cooked, he removed the contents from the pan, clearing the oiled up pan he used for the egg, he went to another bowl and grabbed a few bottles of sauces nearby. Mixing in some soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, and a little bit of barbecue in it, he gently puts it in the pan to deglaze before putting in the pork cutlet to coat it in the juices. Coating it on all sides, he went ahead to assemble his dinner for the night.

A nice bed of rice that sat atop the plate, plopping the coated pork cutlet on next (having chopped it into five equal pieces first), placed next was the egg, and then lastly sprinkling on some of the green onion on top. Taking his dish and putting it on the table, the ceramic plate letting out a satisfying clink and thunk atop the wooden table, he grabbed himself a pair of chopsticks and began to indulge. A few sips of water here and there, a good chew every now and then as she shoveled some of the pork cutlet with bits of rice, egg, and scallions, he was appreciating the moment of tranquility, forgetting all about what had transpired tonight. Not even thinking about Kushida or Horikita for that matter.

Soon, however, his phone buzzed. He fished it out of his pocket, tapping the screen a couple of times before pulling up the messaging app.

He was in a group chat with Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou, but to his surprise, a new person had joined. The notification that had buzzed in was to notify him that a certain Maya Satou had joined the group.

Asahi gulped his food down and pondered for a moment, recalling that Satou was another one of those girls that had gone on a spree of spending a majority of their points on clothes and what not. Seemed to be close friends with Hirata's girlfriend, Kei Karuizawa. Another one of those high-spirited girls.

Satou
Hiya! Ike-kun invited me to join when we were talking earlier
I heard about what happened today. Horikita is really frustrating huh?

Ike
I was really pissed at her. Sudou was super mad. He would've almost lost it and hit her had Himuro not stepped in. But even then his way of dealing it was crazy

Asahi pursed his lips in an almost amusing manner. Must've been referring to the stunt where he threatened Sudou's basketball team placement. In hindsight, it might've seemed overboard to do so, but at the end of the day, it was Sudou's choice.

Would the team suffer a heavy loss because of Sudou's idiotic choice? Perhaps in the early game, but all Asahi had to do was plan accordingly and Sudou's decision shouldn't suffer him in the long run. Besides, there were far more pawns he had accessed on the team as well. So many other pieces he could utilize to secure victory when the time came. And if it comes down to it, he'll just win by himself. Himself and himself alone.